Summary
A directed energy weapon of the Adeptus Mechanicus, borne by the Tech-Priest Dominus, that fires in dissipated or focused modes to atomise the foe at the molecular level.
Lore
The Eradication Ray is a directed energy weapon of the Adeptus Mechanicus that spells death to any caught in its pallid light. Those on the periphery of its cone-like emanations discorporate, melting like smoke into nothingness, while those nearer the muzzle are reduced to nothing on a molecular level.
It belongs to the eradication class of arcane weapons — kin to the larger eradication beamer mounted on the Onager Dunecrawler, and to the smaller eradication caster issued to elite Skitarii infantry. The class is one of several directed-energy patterns the Adeptus Mechanicus still consecrates and deploys, alongside Volkite Weapons, Phosphor Weapons and Galvanic Weapons arms.
Wielders
The Eradication Ray is wargear of the Tech-Priest Dominus, a high-ranking magos and theocratic general of a forge world’s armies. On the Dominus’s panoply it sits beside the volkite blaster, macrostubber, phosphor serpenta and Omnissian axe; in current rules the volkite blaster may be replaced by an eradication ray.
It is not a weapon of common Skitarii ranks; the ray variant is reserved for senior tech-priests, the larger beamer for war-engines, and the smaller caster for elite cohorts.
Modes
The weapon fires in two profiles:
- Dissipated — long-range cone, 24” reach, lighter armour-piercing. Used to scour groups of foes at distance.
- Focused — short-range lance, 12” reach, doubled damage and deeper armour-piercing. Used to atomise heavily-armoured targets at close quarters.
The Dominus selects one profile each time the weapon is fired.